He inherited a house that had fallen into a very poor state of repair during the course of the war and a huge bill for death duty. Rather than hand over the house to The National Trust, he determined to restore Woburn Abbey to the family home it had always been and stopped at almost nothing to make it a successful enterprise, ensuring the Abbey and its world famous collection of treasures would be saved for future generations.

The collection that you can see now continues to be augmented and enriched by new items, antique and modern, so there is always something new to discover when you visit.

He left Woburn in 1974, handing over to my parents, Robin and Henrietta, then Marquess and Marchioness of Tavistock, who moved in to the Abbey to continue the amazing job of breathing life back into this wonderful home and Estate.

My father's incredible foresight in creating and establishing Woburn Golf Club successfully brought the game of golf to Woburn with the opening of The Duke's course in 1976. The Club quickly became an established venue in the world of tournament golf and now boasts three championship courses.

Together, my parents also re-established the Bloomsbury Stud, whose bloodstock has become famous worldwide both on racecourses and in stud paddocks. Sadly, my father died suddenly in 2003 shortly after he and my mother had moved out of the Abbey to enjoy their 'retirement'. My mother continues to live on the Estate.

The Abbey itself lies at the heart of an Estate whose activities are many and varied. We have an award winning Safari Park and The Inn at Woburn, located at the heart of the village - two of the newer threads in the history of the Estate which help support the more traditional activities of farming, forestry and, of particular pride, the outstanding deer herds that you will see roaming freely through the Park.

Although Woburn Abbey is a historic country house, it is also our home. Louise and I - along with our children Alexandra and Henry - are lucky to live in such a beautiful place. We hope that you will visit Woburn soon.

15th Duke of Bedford